Variable-speed unit



Aas. 16, 193s. C. E. JOHNS@ ET AL v2,127,031

VARIABLE SPEED -UNIT Filed 'June 27, 1933 2 sheets-sheet 1 Aug. 16, 1938. c. E. JOHNSON Er AL VARIABLE SPEED UNIT Filed June 27,4 193s 2 sheets-'sheets Y Patented ug. 16, 1938 UNITED STATES VARIABLE-SPEED UNIT Carl E. Johnson, Pasadena, and Earl Mendenhall,

Los Angeles, Calif.

Application June 27', 1933, SlerialNo. 677,863

4 Claims.

Our invention relates to a novel variable-speed system particularly applicable in conjunction with an electric motor whereby a new combination of elements is utilized in changing the speed ratios between a drive shaft and a driven shaft.

The change in speeds possible with existing variable-speed structure is relatively limited, seldom being more than 8 to 1. A larger speed ratio is desirable in many installations and the L@ present invention has vfor one of its objects the provision of a novel system utilizing two variablespeed units operatively connected together in a novel manner so that speed ratios as high as 100 to l may be secured. l 'Ihe invention is applicable to various types of variable-speed systems, but in the preferred embodiment we prefer to utilize the type of variablespeed unit including a V-belt or its equivalent in conjunction with one or more variable-diameter l pulley means, preferably of the type including a pair of flange members which can be moved toward and away from each other. In existing structures these flanges are moved toward and away from each other by a spring, this spring being compressed as the belt is drawn inward toward the axis of rotation, thus permitting the iianges to be resiliently moved away from Ieach other. This system is open to serious limitations, especially in high-torque equipment. One fundamental defect thereof is that the belt tends to creep toward the axis of rotation of the shaft when the torque is suddenly increased, thus resulting in unequal speeds, a loosening of the belt, and unstable operation. gg It is an object of the present invention to mechanically interconnect the ange members of such a pulley by an adjustment means, utilizing other means for compensating for the change in position of the belt as it moves inward .0 and outward between these iiange members as the speed is being changed.

Another object of the present invention is to provide two sets of such mechanically interconnected flange members, one set being on the drive shaft and the other being on the driven shaft, together with a control means which simultaneously adjusts both sets. With such a vsystem the axes of the shafts can be fixed in position, thus eliminating any resilient means heretofore `0 necessary in moving one shaft relative to the other to compensate for change in conditions as the belt moves toward and away'from the axis of rotation. Other features of the invention lie in the details of this system, illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

(Cl. i4-230.17)

It is often desirable to utilize one pulley means of larger diameter than the other. With such a system it has been found desirable to move the adjustment means of each pulley simultaneously, but at different rates, and this feature constitutes an important detaill of the present invention. f

It is also desirable to provide a system wherein the belt can be tightened, and a feature of the present invention lies in the structure for accomplishing this end by changing the relationship between the control means and the adjustment means.

Still other features of the invention 'lie in the novel relationship between the motor and the speed-control unit involving a novel placement of the motor and a novel circulation of cooling medium, as well as a structure which is readily adapted to standardization of parts.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a variable-speed system in which the belt can be replaced without dismantling the structure. Another object of the invention is to provide a novel variable-speed system which is capable of operating high-torque loads, this being accomplished by dividing the speed-control means into two units, one unit being capable of transmitting a higher torque than the other.

An additional t,feature is` to provide a movable countershaft capable of controlling the tension in the belts of such a two-unit system.

Other objects and advantages of the invention lie in the particular structures disclosed, as well as in the more general combinations to be hereinafter described.

Referring particularly to the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a top view showing'in general the relationship between the parts of my system which permits the obtaining of relatively high speed ratios.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal view -partially in section, illustrating in detail one of the units disclosed in Fig. 1, andA more particularly the u nit to which the motor is directly connected.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 3 3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view illustrating the tension-adjustingmeans. Figs. 5, 6, and '7 are sectional views of an alternative form of the invention, Fig. 6 being taken along the line 6-6 of Fig. 5, and Fig. 7 being taken along the line 1-1 of Fig. 6.

Referring particularly to Fig. 2,'we have shown a novel sub-combination of the invention comprising a motor unit, indicated in general by the numeral I5, including a transmission unit, indicated by the numeral I6, and an electric motor, indicated by the numeral I1.

transmission unit I6 is shown as including an enclosing shell I9 dening a transmission chamber 20. This shell is of novel construction, including side walls 2| and 22, there being a recess 24 formed in the side 2l by an. annular wall25 extending into the transmission chamber 20 and terminating in a flange 26. Extending across this flange is a plate 21 which forms an end-bell of the motor I1. This motor may be of conventional construction including a stator 28 and a rotor 29 enclosed in amotor casing 30. The external diameter of the motor casing is smaller than the internal diameter of the wall 25 to deine an annular space 32 therebetween which communicates with the atmosphere. The

outer end of this motor shell may be closed by an end-bell 33 providing a suitable opening through which air may be drawn by a means such as a fan 34 secured to a shaft 35 on which the rotor is mounted and hereinafter termed a drive shaft. This fan' circulates the air or other cooling medium through the motor in cooling relationship with'its parts. In the form of motor shown this circulation is indicated by arrows 36 and takes place around the stator 28 in an annular space deflned between this stator and the motor casing 30. This cooling medium then moves through the annular space 32 and is discharged therefrom as indicated by arrows 38.

i It is desirable to detachably connect the motor in the recess 24 in the form of the invention shown. I'his is accomplished by the use of bolts 40 extending through the ange 26 and into a flange 4I formed on the plate 21. The plate 21 and its ange 4I are suitably secured to the motor casing 30 by means of an annular shoulder 42. Openings 43 are formed at intervals around this annular shoulder to permitpirculation of the cooling medium, as indicated'by the arrows 36 .and 38.

This structure is particularly valuable in that it prevents the medium circulating through the v motor from entering the transmission chamber 20. If the circulation were permitted to take place through this chamber, the belt means would be detrimentally ail'ected by the heat conditions in the motor. In addition, the cooling medium often carries suspended dust or other foreign matter which would be deposited on the working parts in the transmission chamber if the circulation took place therethrough.

The drive shaft 35 is supported by bearings 41 and 48 forming a part of the motor I1, so

that it is unnecessary to journal this drive shaft 25 at any position inside the transmission chamber 26. Furthermore, this structure is particularly valuable in that the motor, and all of the members attached to the drive shaft, can be removed from the enclosing shell I6 as a unit, thus permitting easy adjustment, repair, or replacement. Furthermore the structure wherein the motor is partially positioned in the recess 24 is particularly valuable in that the motor unit I can be made much smaller than would otherwise be the case, and the drive shaft 35. can be made relatively short, thus not only effecting a saving in material but preventing the necessity of auxiliary bearings for this shaft in the transmission chamber 20.

Positioned in the chamber 20 is a transmission means, indicated in general by the numeral 50,

adapted to operatively connect the drive shaft 35 and a driven shaft 5I in such a manner that the speed ratios therebetween can be readily changed. In Fig. 2 we have shown one embodiment of such a transmission means which finds particular` applicability in the motor unit I5. Certain types of variable-speed transmission means of the V-belt type require the use of spring means for compensating for conditions resulting When the speed ratio is changed. Such a resilient means is entirely dispensed with in the form of the invention shown in Fig. 2.

We have shown the side wall 22 as including an opening 43 closed by a bearing member 54 suitably secured thereto by cap screws 55. This bearing member includes a lubricant-containing chamber 51 through which the driven shaft 5I extends. Bearings 58 and 59 are placed at opposite ends of this ,chamber 51 and journal the driven shaft 5I which extends from a point exterior of the enclosing shell I6 to a point inside the transmission chamber 20, but not completely thereacross so that the inner end of this shaft is separated from the side wall 2I.

The transmission means 50 disclosed includes a variable-diameter pulley means of the adjustable V-type attached to the drive shaft 35 and indicated in general by the numeral 62, hereinafter termed a primlary pulley means, and a secondary variable-diameter pulley means of the adjustable V-type, indicated in general by the numeral 63 and attached to the driven shaft 5I, these pulley means being operatively connected by a belt means 64 which is preferably of the V-type.

Referring particularly to the primary pulley means 62, the preferredconstruction includes flange members 65 and 66 rotating with the shaft and movable toward and away from each other through the medium of an adjustment means, indicated in general by the numeral 61. The flange members 65 and 66 are frusto-conical in shape to provide a. V-shaped channel 68 in which the belt means 64 extends. By moving the flange members toward each other the belt means 64 moves outward, thereby changing the effective diameter of the pulley means 62.

The flange member 65 carries a sleeve 69 suitably keyed to the drive shaft 35 and extending to a position beyond the end thereof. 'Ihe end of the sleeve 69 is counterbored to receive the outer race of a ball bearing of the adjustment means V61, the inner race of this bearing carrying an adjustment shaft 1I axially aligned with the drive shaft 35. A press t may be formed between this inner race and the shaft 1I, thus permitting the shaft 1I to move independentl'y of the drive shaft 35. The outer end of this adjustment shaft 1I is threaded and carries an adjustment member 12 forming a part of the adjustment means 61. This adjustment means also includes a nut 13 threaded to the adjustment shaft 1I and carrying the inner race of a bearing 14 of the ball type. The outer race of this bearing ts into the end of a sleeve which is slidable relative to the sleeve 69. 'I'hese sleeves may be suitably keyed together by any means preventing relative rotation therebetween. In the form shown a pin 16 carried by the sleeve 15 extends into a key 11-, which in turn is slidable in a keyway 18 of the sleeve 69 to permit longitudinal movement of these sleeves. The -flange member 66 is suitably secured to or made integral with the sleeve 15.

The elements forming the adjustment means 61 cooperate in moving the flange members 65 and 6B toward and away from each other even while the motor is in operation. Thus, considering that the motor is rotating, the adjustment shaft 1| will normally be stationary. By turning this shaft through the medium of the adjustment member 12, the nut 13 is advanced along the threaded portion of the shaft 1| thereby moving the sleeve 15 relative to the sleeve 69 and thereby changing the distance between the flange members 65 and 66. To prevent rotation of the nut 13 with the adjustment member 12, it is usually desirable to provide some means for hold- Lil) ing this nut stationary. In the form shown, this means includes a rod 18a secured to the nut 13 and bent to extend outward between the sleeve 15 and the adjustment member 12. The end of thisl rod carries an eye 18h which is slidable on a pin 18o extending inward from the side wall 22. The cup 12 is positioned entirely inside the transmission chamber 20 and may be moved through the medium of a sprocket 19 forming a part of a control means to be hereinafter described. l

The pulley means 63 secured to the driven shaft 5| is of somewhat similar construction and includes flange members 8| and 82 cooperating in forming a V-shaped groove receiving the belt means 64. A sleeve 35 is carried by the flange member 8| and is suitably keyed to the driven shaft 5|, extending a distance therebeyond. The

free end of this sleeve is counterbored to receive the outer race of a bearing 86, this outer race being suitably secured in the counterbore of the sleeve. The inner race of this bearing is pressed onto an adjustment shaft 81, the outer en'd of which is threaded and carries a sprocket 88 forming a part of the control means 80. A nut 89 is threaded to the adjustment shaft 81 and is carried by the inner race of a ball bearing 90, the outer race of this ball bearing being carried by a sleeve 9| telescoping with the sleeve and carrying a flange member 82. Key means similar to that previously described may be utilized for preventing relative rotation between the sleeves 65 and 9|. Means may also be provided for preventing rotation of the nut B9 with the adjustment shaft 61, this means including a rod sliding on a pin similar to the construction previously described. Thus, when the sprocket 88 is turned the adjustment shaft' 81 journals in the bearing 86 and moves the nut 89 along this shaft. The nut 89 acts through the medium of the bearing 90 to move the sleeve 9| and thus the flange member 82. The structure interconnecting the adjustment shaft 81 and the flange members 8| and 82 thus comprises an adjustment means designated in general by the numeral 93.

It is an important feature of the present invention, when using a transmission means such as illustrated, to simultaneously adjust the pulley means 62 and 63, the effective diameter of one pulley means being increased while the effective diameter of the other pulley means is decreased. This is accomplished through the control means 80 which comprises any suitable means for simultaneously operating the adjusting means 61 and 93. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated, 'see particularly Fig. 3, this control means is shown as being in the form of a countershaft which may be journalled in the side walls 2| and 22 to extend across the transmission chamber 20 at a position above the belt means or at any other convenient position. This countershaft 95 carries a sprocket 96 which is connected to the sprocket 19 by a chain 91. So also, the countershaft carries a sprocket 98 which is operatively connected to the sprocket 88 through a chain 99. The outer end of the countershaft carries a hand Wheel |00 or other suitable means for manually or automatically turning this countershaft so that the adjustment means 61 and 93 will be simultaneously moved. The system is so made that when the effective diameter of one pulley means is increased, the effective diameter of the other is decreased.

It has often been .found desirable to make'one of the pulley means of larger diameter than the other. Thus, the pulley means 63 has been illustrated as being of much larger diameter than the pulley means 62. 'I'he objects and results attained by such a structure are fully set forth in the copending application of Carl E. Johnson and Earl Mendenhall, Serial No. 30,112, entitled Enclosed variable speed device, led July 6, 1935, which is a continuation-impart of this application.

There is inevitably a slight stretch in the belt means 64 after the unit has been inoperation for a long period of time It is thus preferable to provide some adjustment means for adjusting the tension in this belt Such an adjustment means is also very desirable in view of the fact that when replacing one belt with another, lt is almost impossible to secure belts of exactly the same length In view of the fact that in the preferred embodiment the axesd of the drive and driven shafts are in xed position, lt is not usually desirable to change the tension of the belt by moving one or the other of these shafts,

though this can be done by extending the cap screws 55 through openings in the bearing member 54 which are larger in diameter than the cap screws So also, it is not desirable to utilize an idler for adjusting the tension of the belt In the preferred embodiment this adjustment is effected by changing the relative positions of the adjustment means 61 or 93 with respect to the counter-shaft 95 'I'his may be done by temporarily removing one of the chains and advancing or retracting the corresponding adjustment means until the desired tension is reached after which the chain is again interconnected with the countershaft 95 However, in the preferred embodiment one of the sprockets is adjustably mounted with respect to its shaft so that such movement of one adjusting means relative to the other can be easily effected In the form shown (see Fig 4) the sprocket 96 includes a hub 10| including a plurality of keyways |02 formed therein and opening on the central bore through which the shaft 95 extends. The shaft 95 carries a keyway |03. A key |04 i's inserted in the keyway |03 and into any desired keyway |02 of the sprocket. 96, thus adjusting the 'relative position of the sprocket and the countershaft and thus permitting moving the adjustment means 61 relative to the adjustment means 93; 'Ihe net effect is to adjust the tension in the belt 64.

The construction shown in Fig. 2 is also particularly valuable in that it permits replacement of the belt means without dismantling the unit. Thus,the enclosing shell |9 of the transmission .unit i6 provides an elongated opening |01 in the so as to permit the belt means to slide inward in one pulley a sufficient distance so that it can be removed from the other pulley. Due to the fact that the drive shaft 35 and the driven shaft 5| do not extend completely across the transmission chamber 20, it is an easy matter to remove the belt, sliding this belt through the space beyond the ends of these respective shafts and removing it through the opening |01.

It is often desirable to be able to secure speed ratios substantially greater than that possible with a single transmission unit. such as shown in Fig. 2. Thus, we have found it desirable to combine two or more of these transmission units, and control all of the units by a single control means. Such a system may include several sets of varriable-diameter pulleys in the same enclosing structure, but in the preferred embodiment, we prefer to utilize separate enclosing structures for each set. Thus, in Fig. 1 we have illustrated a motor unit I5 such as previously described, and including the transmission unit4 |6, in conjunction with an auxiliary transmission unit indicated by the numeral ||0. 'I'hs auxiliary transmission unit may be of the form similar to that shown in detail in Fig. 2.` With such a combination the' driven shaft 5| of the transmission unit I6 is directly or indirectly connected to a shaft of the transmission unit ||0 so that the shafts 5| and comprise a countershaft means.

-The transmission unit ||0 is shown as comprising a variable-diameter pulley means f the adjustable V-type ||2 carried by the shaft and connected by a belt H3 to a variable-diameter pulley means indicated by the numeral ||4 and operatively connected to a driven shaft H5. Each of these pulley means includes an adjustment means such as previously described so that the entire combination includes four adjustment means. It is desirable to provide a unitary control for these adjustment means, and for this purpose we have shown the countershaft as extending through both transmission units, and carrying sprockets which are respectively connected to all four of the adjustment means. Thus, by turning this countershaft 95 of the control means all four of the adjustment means are simultaneously changed, thus permitting speed variations as high as to 1.

It should be understood that a separate control means may be used for the transmission unit ||0 in which event the control means of the two transmission units will be either directly or indirectly connected together. Thus, it is possible to use two identical units such as shown in Fig. 2, the driven shaft of one being directly or indirectly connected to the drive shaft of the other, and the control means of each unit being operatively connected together by gears, sprockets, etc., so that both units are simultaneously adjusted.

So also, it should be understood that this general combination of two transmission units, each of the variable-speed type, and controlled by a single control means, is new regardless of the details of the particular transmission means utilized. Thus, assuming that each transmission unit has a separate regulating means for changing the speed relationships between its shafts, the invention includes the series connection of such transmission units with a control means for operatively connecting the regulating means of each transmission unit. Such transmission units, for instance, might be of the spring-actuated type well-known in the art and wherein the flanges of one or more pulley means are moved toward and away from each other by resilient means or wherein the distance between the shafts is changed by resilient means.

In Figs. 5 to 7 we have illustrated an alternative form of the invention including a floating countershaft |24. Here both transmission units4 may be positioned in the same enclosing structure |25.

A motor |26 is utilized, the shaft of this motor carrying a pulley means |21 of the adjustable V-type similar to that disclosed in Fig. 2 and including flange members |28 and |29. The flange member |28 is moved by an adjustment means |30 similar to the adjustment means 61 previously described, the adjustment shaft being indicated by the numeral |3| extending through the casing to carry a hand wheel |32 through which control may be effected. A sprocket |33 on the adjustment shaft is connected by a suitable chain to a -sprocket |34 mounted on a countershaft |35 suitably journalledin the shell.

A belt means |36 operatively connects the pulley means |21 to a pulley means |38 mounted on a floating countershaft |40, this shaft being hollow. This pulley means |38 comprises flange members |4| and |42, the former being connected by pins |43 extending through elongated slots |44 of the countershaft |40 to-a ring |45 positioned therein. This ring is suitably xed to a control shaft |46, there being bearings |41 and |48 between the control shaft and the countershaft 40. The flange member |42 is carried by the countershaft |40 so that if the control shaft |46 is moved axially the flange member |4| is carried therewith to adjust the pulley means |38. This axial movement takes place through an adjustment means |50 shown as including a. sprocket |5| connected by a chain to a'sprocket |52 carried by the shaft |35. This sprocket |5| is suitably journalled by a bearing |54 in a floating base |55. Further, this sprocket is threaded to receive an adjustment shaft |51 which. is kept from rotating by a' squared pin |58 extending into the end thereof, this pin being suitably secured to the floating base |55. The result ls that when the sprocket |5| is turned the adjstment shaft |51 is advanced axially. This axial movement is transmitted to vthe control shaft |46 through a thrust bearing |59 carried in a cup |60 forming a part of the adjustment shaft |51. l

The floating countershaft |40 also carries a pulley means |65 including a flange member |66 directly connected to the countershaft |40, and including a flange member |61 slidable` with respect to this lcountershaft. 'I'he distance between these flange members is controlled by the control member |46 which carries a ring |68. This ring may be connected to the flange member |61 through pins |69 extending through elongated openings |10 of the countershaft |40. Thus, the ange members |4| and |61 are simultaneously adjusted.

The pulley means |65 is operatively connected by a belt means |16 to a pulley means |11 which may be identical with the pulley means 63, previously described. An adjustment means |18 is 70 provided for moving the outermost flange member when a sprocket |19 corresponding to the sprocket 88 is turned. This sprocket |19 is connected by a chain to a sprocket |80 carried by the shaft |35. Thus, as the hand wheel |35 is turned each of the pulley means |21, |30, III, and |11 are simultaneously adjusted. It should not be understood, however, that we are limited to the exact mechanism shown for securing this simultaneous adjustment. t

The oating countershaft |40 is journalled by bearings |85 and |06 carried in a hub |91. This hub is supported on the upper end of one leg of a U-shaped support |88, the other end of this support carrying the floating base |55.

This support carries a pin |92 lwhich is journalled in bifurcations |93 of a horizontal extending support member |94. The opposite end of this support member in tum carries bifurcations |95 which retain a shaft |96 suitably journalled in lugs |91 extending upward from the base of the enclosing structure.

The result of this structure is that the countershaft |40 iioatsL so as to be movable either horizontally orvertically. 'I'his movement can thus be used to maintain the proper tension in the belts, and in the absence of other elements the tension will be substantially equalized between the belt means |39 and |16. Usually, however, the weight of the countershaft and its attached pulley means, together with the support |88 is too great to thus provide the proper tension adjustment. It is thus possible to use a compression spring |99 extendingbetween the horlzontal support |94 and the base of the enclosing structure to support a portionl of the weight of the countershaft |40 and its attached means. The size of this spring thus regulates the tension developed in the belt means. 0i. course if the shaft and its attachedstructure is not suiflcient to maintain the desired tension, it is pos' sible to make the spring |99 a tension spring. So

also, it is possible to utilize a spring |99 which' is of sucient strength to support the entire weight of the countershaft and its attached elements, thus using the excess compression of the spring to control the tension of the belt means.

With a speed-reduction system such as shown in Fig. 5, the torque transmitted by the belt means |16 is of course much greater than the torque transmitted by the belt means |39. For this reason it is often desirable to maintain the tensions in these belt means at different values, it

being usually desirable to maintain the belt means |16 tighter than the belt means |36. To accomplish this result we may utilize a tension spring 200 extending between the horizontal support |94 and the U-shaped support |80, as best shown in Fig. 6. 'I'his spring tends to move the floating countershaft |40 leftward as viewed in Fig. y6, thus increasing the tension of the belt means |16.

While we have shown our invention in conjunction with an electric motor, it is clear that the novelty of our system is not limited thereto. The transmission means herein disclosed are in themselves novel regardless of the driven and drive members.

Various modiiications and changes may be made in the structure herein shown without departing from the spirit of the invention.

We claim as our invention:

1. In combination: an enclosing shell including opposed side walls; .a drive shaft extending through one of said side walls and into the interior of said enclosing shell but not completely therethrough whereby the innermost end of said drive shaft is spaced from said other side wall so as to permit a belt to be passed around the end of said drive shaft; a drivershaft'extending through the side wall opposite that through which the drive shaft extends and into the interior of said enclosing shell but not completely therethrough whereby the innermost end of said driven shaft is spaced from the side wall opposite that through which said driven shaft extends so as to permit a belt to be 4passed around the end of said driven shaft; and a belt-driven variablespeed transmission means in said'enclosing shell and operatively connecting said drive and said driven shafts.

2. A combination as defined in claim 1 in which said transmission means includes a primary variable-diameter pulley means of the adjustable V-type on said drive shaft,and an adjustment means operable at a position adjacent said innermost end of said drive shaft for adjusting said primary pulley means, and in which said transmission means includes a secondary variablediameter pulley means of the adjustable V-type on said driven shaft, and an adjustment means operable ata positionadjacent said innermost end of said driven shaft for adjusting .said secondary pulley means, and including a control means for operatively connecting said two ad- A :lustment` means.

3. In combination: a drive shaft; a primary pulley means of the adjustable V-type on said drive shaft; a countershaft; a secondary pulley means of the adjustable V-type on said countershaft; a belt means connecting said primary and secondary pulley means; a tertiary pulley means operatively connected to said secondary pulley means and being of the adjustable v-type: a driven shaft; a quaternary pulley means of the adjustable V-type connected to said driven shaft, each of said pulley means including a pair of flange members one of which is movable toward and away from the other; a belt means connecting said tertiary and quaternary pulley means; a control shaft: sprocket means provided on said control shaft; an adjustment means individually associated with each of said pulley means and mechanically interconnecting 'said flange members of its corresponding pulley means; a chain receiving means associated with each of said adjustment means and in operative alignment with said sprocket means; and chain means connectvary the diameter of said pulley means.

CARI. E. JOHNSON.' EARL nmNDENHAm. 

